Georgetown University's Christy Lopez discusses "defund police" proposals and Property and Environment Research Center's Brian Yablonski discusses the federal government's role in public land management and conservation.
The Center for American Progress hosted a virtual event with Democratic mayors to discuss the impact of coronavirus and recent civil unrest sparked by the death of George Floyd. The mayors discussed different ways their cities have responded to calls for police reform and addressing systematic racism. They also talked about impact coronavirus has had on their communities.
The Senate Judiciary Committee authorized subpoenas for a range of individuals involved in the FBI's "Crossfire Hurricane" investigation into possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russian officials. Despite objections from Democrats, the committee voted on party lines to authorize Chair Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to issue subpoenas to a number of former Obama administration officials, including former FBI Director James Comey, former CIA Director John Brennan and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. The committee also voted on party lines, 12-10, to favorably report the nomination of Cory Wilson to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
House Minority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) joined a virtual event for President Trump's reelection campaign hosted by Mercedes Schlapp, a senior adviser to the campaign. Much of the conversation focused on some of the law enforcement policy proposals put forth in response to the protests following the death of George Floyd while in custody of police in Minneapolis. Rep. Scalise talked about his experience being shot while practicing baseball in Alexandria, Virginia, and how police responded to the situation.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) was in conversation with Eric Holder, the former attorney general during the Obama administration, on racial and social justice as part of a virtual event hosted by Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Policy. The event came in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, a Black man, while he was in custody of police in Minneapolis, and the nationwide protests for changes in policing and law enforcement policy that followed. During the discussion, Senator Klobuchar talked about her former role as a prosecutor for Hennepin County, Minnesota, and how that office had failed in the past to prosecute officers accused of unfair conduct. Both Senator Klobuchar and Mr. Holder also answered questions from Georgetown students at the end of the event.
FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly talks about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on communications and on the digital divide, the President's executive order on social media and other issues facing the FCC
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA) hosted a virtual town hall with voters on police reform and COVID-19. With Sen. Warner joining by phone, and Rep. Connolly by video, they also discussed the payroll protection program, racial inequity and climate change.
Steven Woodworth, author of "This Great Struggle: America's Civil War," talked about how the history of the Civil War and shares his thoughts on what should be done with confederate statues.
College of Charleston History Professor Bernard Powers gave a tour of sites in Charleston related to black heritage. One of the sites included Hampton Park where he talked about the connections it has to the first Memorial Day commemorations on May 1,1865.
The Federalist Society hosted a virtual discussion on the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on civil liberties. Legal scholars discussed federal and state governments mandates during the pandemic, and whether they were in violation of the U.S. Constitution. They also discussed the potential violation of privacy laws in regards to surveillance and contact tracing, as well as what role the judiciary plays in determining the legality of many of the state and federal orders issued in the name of public health.
College of Charleston History Professor Bernard Powers gave a tour of sites in Charleston related to black heritage. One of the sites included Hampton Park where he talked about the connections it has to the first Memorial Day commemorations on May 1,1865.
The Federalist Society hosted a virtual discussion on the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on civil liberties. Legal scholars discussed federal and state governments mandates during the pandemic, and whether they were in violation of the U.S. Constitution. They also discussed the potential violation of privacy laws in regards to surveillance and contact tracing, as well as what role the judiciary plays in determining the legality of many of the state and federal orders issued in the name of public health.
The House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development and Insurance held a virtual hearing on efforts to assist renters impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Witnesses included Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center Executive Director Cashauna Hill along with policy experts from the Brookings Institution, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Up for Growth.
The House Administration Subcommittee on Elections held a virtual hearing on voting rights and election safety amid the coronavirus pandemic. Witnesses included NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund President Sherrilyn Ifill, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights President Katherine Clarke as well as secretaries of state for Louisiana and Alabama. They answered questions concerning vote-by-mail expansion proposals, polling place safety as well as the impact of COVID-19 on recent presidential primaries in Wisconsin and Georgia.
Todd Spangler, the Washington correspondent for the Detroit Free Press, was interviewed about the forces at play and issues motivating voters in the 2020 presidential race in Michigan. He talked about how President Trump's message on trade, which was successful in persuading Michigan voters to cast ballots for him in 2016, might not be as effective in the state's swing areas in 2020. Also discussed was how the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic downturn would impact the presidential run in Michigan.
President Trump delivered the commencement address to the military academy's 2020 graduating class at West Point. After congratulating the cadets for their achievements, the president took the opportunity to acknowledge the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent protests around the country. He thanked the military who helped "battle the invisible enemy, the new virus, that came to our shores from a distant land called China," and then praised the National Guard for "ensuring peace, safety and the constitutional rule of law on our streets."
